urge parliamentary scrutiny of the state within a state of the Khakis, especially the dreaded spy agency (DGFI). The interference of the Khakis into state politics will once again jeopardize institutionalization of elective democracy, good governance and secularism. The rogues fear social justice activists, critics, politicians and journalists too - Joy Manush!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Warsi’s bold step against Gaza atrocities: Could have been as vocal about BD war criminals

SALEEM SAMAD

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi resigned from the British government on
Wednesday in a challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron over Britain’s “morally
indefensible” approach to the Conflict in Gaza.

She must have drawn praise for this bold decision from all around
the world who have condemned Israeli barbarity in the small Gaza Strip in
Palestine.

But people in Bangladesh were bemused by an official statement she
had as the first British Muslim Cabinet minister, shedding crocodile tears for
indicted Bangladesh war criminals and thus blamed the independence of judiciary.

She was all in “tears” for fugitive war criminal Abul Kalam Azad who
had been convicted and sentenced to death by the International War Crimes
Tribunal (ICT) for crimes he committed against humanity during Bangladesh’s
1971 War or Independence from Pakistan.

Azad is reportedly living in exile in Pakistan trying to escape the
gallows.

Regarding her resignation, the baroness Warsi tweeted: “If I have a
view on the economy I’m a Tory..... but on foreign policy it’s because I’m
Muslim!”

Earlier in January 2013, the British Foreign
Office Minister Baroness Warsi commented on the first judgement reached by the Bangladesh
ICT and the death penalty handed down to fugitive Abul Kalam Azad.

Warsi, a daughter of
Pakistani immigrants, stated: “The British Government notes the verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal in
the case of Abul Kalam Azad. The British Government supports the efforts of
Bangladesh to bring to justice those responsible for committing atrocities
during the 1971 War, although we remain strongly opposed to the application of
the death penalty in all circumstances.

“The
British Government is aware of concerns expressed by some human rights NGOs and
legal professionals about proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal. We
hope that the International Crimes Tribunal addresses such concerns promptly
and thoroughly to ensure the continued integrity, independence and reputation
of the legal process in Bangladesh.”

British
Foreign Minister met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a day after “Butcher of
Mirpur” Kader Mollah was hanged on 12 December last year, and stressed UK’s opposition
to the death penalty.

Foreign
Minister Mahmood Ali during bilateral talks with his British counterpart said
that Bangladesh has taken a “bold step” to break the cycle of impunity and
bring the perpetrators of sexual violence and crimes against humanity during
1971 war of independence to justice.

The Telegraph,
an independent British newspaper, writes: The government came under intense
international pressure to halt the execution amid warnings from Western leaders
that it will lead to more violence and sabotage talks to persuade Bangladesh’s
opposition parties to contest next month’s (January 2014) general election.

Shahriar
Kabir, a social justice activist, dubbed Warsi’s statement “outrageous” and
“interference” into Bangladesh justice to bring the war crimes suspect on the
docks.

As the first Muslim Cabinet minister Warsi
adopted some brave stances on a number of controversial issues – such as
proposals to ban veils – and had spoken out about wider Islamophobia. Neither
stance saved her from abuse and threats of violence from extremist elements in
the Muslim community.

To restore her cloudy image among the
Muslim community in Britain, it could be a political stunt, an anonymous tweet
remarked.

It
has been an open secret in Westminster that Warsi has been angered since her
demotion from Tory party chair, writes Independent newspaper published from
London.

The
British officials appeared critical of Lady Warsi's judgment, saying:
"This is a disappointing and frankly unnecessary decision. The British
Government is working with others in the world to bring peace to Gaza and we do
now have a tentative ceasefire which we all hope will hold."

Meanwhile
Baroness Anelay, the government's Chief Whip in the House of Lords is to
replaced Baroness Warsi as a Foreign Office minister.

Saleem Samad is an Ashoka Fellow (USA), a media rights activists and is a journalist for the Daily Observer, published from Bangladesh